In Colorado, the Orionids are best around 5:20 AM on the night of the peak (October 21, 2026), when the radiant stands about 67° high. Under a truly dark sky you could see roughly 18 meteors per hour. Astronomical darkness runs from 7:50 PM to 5:53 AM, and the moon will be 76% lit and below the horizon at the best time.
Best time
5:20 AM
local time
Est. rate
18/h
dark sky
Radiant
67° high
toward S
Moon
76%
down
Dark places to watch the Orionids in Colorado
| Location | Type | Est. Bortle |
|---|---|---|
| Nucla | Dark Sky Place | 1 |
| Norwood | Dark Sky Place | 1 |
| Naturita | Dark Sky Place | 1 |
| Dinosaur National Monument | Dark Sky Place | 1 |
| Silver Cliff | Dark Sky Place | 2 |
| Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park | Dark Sky Place | 2 |
| Westcliffe | Dark Sky Place | 2 |
| Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve | Dark Sky Place | 2 |
| Mesa Verde National Park | Dark Sky Place | 2 |
| Mancos State Park | State Park | 2 |